FIRST GRADE AGENDA
March 11th In-Service
Welcome ...Explore Learning Lounge
1. Writing Update
Being A Writer
https://www.collaborativeclassroom.org/being-a-writer
Units of Study ...Lucy Calkins
http://www.heinemann.com/products/E07694.aspx
Next year... SOFT LANDING...which ever program is selected, materials will be purchased in JULY...teachers will have the year to try out and use materials.
Full implementation 2017.
FEEDBACK:
Heather (Being A Writer )and Julie(Units of Study) gave feedback from both writing programs. Both presenters liked their programs, felt students were better writers as a result, both had mentor texts, both followed Lucy Caulkins teachings. Both require block of writing time. Being a writer fit into Daily 5.
Teachers requested that we have some kind of training this summer or in August regardless of which program is picked.
2. Science Update
- hands on lesson ideas
- overview of Next Generation Standards
- http://www.nextgenscience.org/get-to-know
- Sample: http://www.nextgenscience.org/dci-arrangement/1-ps4-waves-and-their-applications-technologies-information-transfer
- Presentation by publishers
- Foss...http://www.fossweb.com/
Winter 2016 - Curriculum writing, resource selection
Fall 2016 through Summer 2017 - Pilot curriculum and plan professional development
Summer 2017 - professional development
Fall 2017 - Implementation of New Curriculum
FEEDBACK:
Several teachers who have used Foss shared and said they liked the program.
Questions...will we need to schedule a specific block for science? How much time? How many times per week?
Shared that we can integrate non fiction texts into Language Arts, Guided Reading and Daily 5 and use science time for experiments.
3. Report Card Update
Grades vs. no grades, spring conferences
Implement following year
FEEDBACK:
We had a BIG response to report cards...
Overwhelmingly all Teachers want a printed out version of the report card sent home! Parents are not going on line to see it. The most important document they receive should be printed out.(Lunch menus go home every month) Put report card guide on line explaining DRA's etc. but print out report cards.
Teachers want you to consider Trimesters...rather than quarters...with snow days and holiday breaks second and third quarters are broken up and shortened...Trimesters make more sense. More time to assess and get to know our students.
NO GRADES: Take the emphasis off of the grades and put emphasis on the learning...keep 1, 2, 3, 4. Change format to a user friendly and parent friendly format. Standards need to be written to give parents feed back that they can understand and that we can assess.
Change the continuum. Parent friendly... give DRA number.
Take a look at conferences: 1 conference in January..when we know students. Or conference in fall with optional conference in spring at request of teacher or parent....please consider.
4. Technology Update
Originally, an overview on Teacher Website was planned for today....Insider information is that GOOGLE SITES will be revamped between April and August. This has put a glitch in our plans. We are in the process of creating a contingency plan, so more info will follow as soon as Google SITES is updated...in mean time...
- We can collect websitelinks we'd like to include on our websites.
- Consider making a First Grade Page of Resources that we all link to.
- Look at other websites to get ideas http://www.dailyteachingtools.com/best-website-design-awards-showcase.html
- Look at Google Sites Resources: https://www.iste.org/explore/articledetail?articleid=107
What about computers in classroom? When are we getting computers in the classroom or tablets and how many per classroom? The tech committee is formulating a plan.Heather said that equity is one area they need to focus on. Information will come out of their work once completed.
SEE SAW LEARNING JOURNAL: Student Driven Digital Portfolios
FEEDBACK:
Discussed need for equity, new technology for students.... requests for i-pads or tablets in classroom to utilize digital literacy and resources...ideally 1 per student.
We discussed how we can start preparing for teacher websites...liked the idea of one grade level resource page that all teachers could link to their webpage.
Several teachers commented and like SEESAW learning journals... need i-pads.
5. Break ...Explore Learning Lounge
6. ELA MODULES ... Assessments, Storytown
What assessments are people using in ELA?
Using the pacing guide(s)
How are we using Storytown?
How are we testing?
Harcourt or teacher-made?
How often are we testing?
Unit tests?
Module tests?
Are assessments broken down into grammar/comprehension/etc?
Any talk about buying a new series or going back to using Storytown?
StoryTown... is not aligned to standards. Any purchase would have to go on next year’s budget. Next year we will be purchasing science. Future ELA purchases to meet the needs of students has been a discussion item. Because we have embraced the balanced literacy framework and are purchasing a writing program, our next focus will be additional reading materials to support the balanced literacy framework and PA Core standards.
Spell City: Words their Way word sorts...Carrie Nawarynski
FEEDBACK:
We discussed using Storytown stories as a resource in addition to other resources. Storytown in itself is not aligned to the curriculum...we need to consider balanced lit approach utilizing a number of resources and tools.
Assessments...discussed options...using close read and comprehension passages for assessments, vocabulary checks, DRA's, running records, fluency checks, using Storytown assessments,making teacher made assessments.
Request for ED time to make LA assessments.
Discussed Word Study: Question as to if it a District expectation or directive that we use WORDS THEIR WAY? Gail from IST shared that she felt it was an expectation.
Many questions and concerns that arose from this discussion. We ran out of time to discuss all....but here are some questions and concerns we'd like to be addressed...
- Is it a District expectation or directive that we use WORDS THEIR WAY?
- !s it expected to have multiple lists?
- Where do we find time in a 90 minute ELA block to accomplish whole group modeled instruction in reading, spelling and writing, mini lessons, 5 Daily 5 rotations 15 to 20 minutes long each, administer spelling tests, give writing time and time to share writing?
- There are many ways to differentiate and accomplish word study without adding another program...allowing teachers to use tools and experience to accomplish this with Words their Way as a tool option rather then the main focus.
- All first graders need solid phonics instruction to become better readers, writers and spellers...regardless of what they can spell on a pretest.
- Students are exposed to words throughout the day and across the curriculum...using word lists, science vocabulary, vocabulary, grammar instruction...adjectives, nouns, verbs, opposites, etc.
Interesting findings from articles for us to consider:
Teachers are encouraged to promote transfer of word knowledge
through cross-curricular connections, with a focus on engaging students in activities
that promote a deeper understanding of the function of words in all aspects of
their lives. This includes word play and a critical stance toward the use of words
in various media.vocabulary instruction should also include an examination of word choice.
Even children in the early grades can begin to appreciate the effectiveness of
descriptive words, including strong nouns and verbs and adjectives that appeal
to the senses.A significant advantage was noted in reading comprehension for fifth grade students who, in first grade, received phonics instruction through spelling as opposed to informally through literature.
7. Any questions, concerns, feedback from ED CAMP
MATERIAL COSTS: The cost of purchasing materials to meet Common Core standards...math and ELA and because we are not using workbooks and a series..has increased. Consider reimbursing or budgeting an allowance for these resources at each building... the amount of stuff teachers are having to buy on their own to supplement common core since there is no aligned series or resources is increasing.
8. Complete evaluation
LEARNING LOUNGE RESOURCES
MONEY
Hairs on Head
Mini Money Unit
Time to Go Shopping
Candy Money Cards
Money Freebie
Coin Caterpillars
Counting Bills
Counting Coins
MONEY CENTER IDEAS
EXIT TICKETS
Exit Ticket
Exit Ticket
Common Core Exit Tickets
Common Core Exit Tickets
321 Graphic Organizer
Exit Ticket
ELA
Research Template
Reading Comprehension
Spring Math & Literacy
First Grade Level Leader...Patrice Arnold
Email: parnold@eastpennsd.org
Website: http://classic.eastpennsd.org/teacherpages/parnold/
Phone: 610-703-6600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatriceArnold4